Monday, September 17, 2012

Golden Rain Tree

Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria
paniculata) is
also known as the China tree or Varnish tree. It is native to Eastern Asia,
China, and Korea. Golden Rain Tree is a
smaller tree with a rounded canopy usually reaching 20’ – 25’ tall and wide in
our climate.

Golden Rain Tree is
normally grown as an ornamental valued for both its flowers and persistent seed
pods. The flowers of Golden Rain Tree form in late spring into summer. Yellow flowers
form on panicles (spikes),

that project up above
and out of the canopy, hence the name “Golden Rain”.

Fruits are a three
lobed pod-like structure that resemble tiny Japanese lanterns. Fruits are first
green,

then mature to brown

and persist into
winter providing structural interest. Mature fruits contain
black seeds in each of its lobes.

Leaves are compound with leaflets.

Golden Rain Tree is
best grown in full sun with low to regular water. Golden Rain Tree grows well
in both sandy and clay soils and is hardy to USDA zone 5.